USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 31
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Mr. Polk was inaugurated President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1845, and a short time after the close of the session of May, 1845, he removed Mr. Chambers, and appointed James Clarke, of Burlington, to succeed him. This closed the public career of John
Chambers, second Governor of Iowa. A short time after his removal by Mr. Polk, be returned to his home in Kentucky, where he soon after died.
He was a large, heavy man, round shouldered, and had rather a stooping gait. His manners were reserved, and at first sight you would not care about ap- proaching him, but a little familiar ac- quaintance with him would make him a favorite.
A half hour's conversation with him, and he was as pleasing as a child; and take him all in all, he was about the most perfect specimen of Kentucky gentleman that was ever my lot to fall in with.
The longer he remained in Iowa, the more the people loved him.
I bid him farewell for the last time on the steps of the Capitol at Iowa City, when he wept like a child.
When he left Iowa for his own bright and sunny land, he left no enemies behind him. A noble hearted man, he fixed his name forever on the pages of our history, and he left us to mingle his dust in that land which gave him birth. So far as my acquaintance with him is concerned, I can truly say with Burns:
"An honest man now lies at rest, One who on earth was truly blest; If there's another world, he lies in bliss, And if there's none, he's made the best of this."
JAMES CLARKE.
Sometime in the autumn of the year 1837, when the trees were in the yellow leaf, a printer boy of slender form and gentle appearance might have been seen
224
HISTORY OF IOWA.
crossing the "Laurel Hills" of his own State. Behind him rolled the waters of the "Blue Juniata," on the banks of which he had spent, in merry glee, his youthful days. He had heard and read of strange countries that lay far off towards the set- ting sun, through which broad rivers run, and spreading landscapes unfolded to human eyes the most rare and magnificent beauty.
These things inspired his youthful mind with a spirit of wild adventure-"fields looked green far away" to his imagination, and he left the scenes of his early youth, severed the strong and loving ties that bound him to the land of his nativity, bid farewell to all that was dear to him on earth, and with his youthful gaze fixed upon that star which never sets, he launched forth into the wilds of Wisconsin, a stranger in a strange land, an adventurer seeking his own fortune, depending upon his own exertions, with no recommend save an honest countenance and genteel deportment. This young man was James Clark, who in after years became the able, talented and popular Governor of Iowa. He remained in Wisconsin, working at his trade as a printer, until after the or- ganization of the Territory of Iowa, when he removed to Burlington, where the first legislature of Iowa assembled. After the death of Mr. Conway, he was appointed, by Mr. Van Buren, Secretary of the Terri- tory, which office he filled with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. During the time he held this office he contributed, by his kind, gentle and amiable manner, to soften the feelings of hatred and distrust which at one time ex- isted between leading men of the Territory.
Whoever had business at his office found him a kind, gentle, quiet, amiable man, always ready and willing to do whatever was desired of him, regretting, at the same time, that he could do no more. No man ever labored harder in an office than he did, and it always seemed to me that his whole pride and ambition was to serve some one, and by so doing make himself nseful to his fellow man.
During the time he was Secretary he underwent great labor, but notwithstand- ing the large amount of business he trans- acted, he still found time to write for the press, and contributed many valuable articles touching the future greatness of Iowa.
After he retired from the office of Secre- tary, he returned again to the Printing office, and became the leading Editor of the Burlington Gazette. To the columns of this paper he devoted his whole ener- gies, and by so doing, made it the leading democrat paper of the territory; a position which he has held to this day.
After the inauguration of Mr. Polk as President of the United States, in 1845, he removed Mr. Chambers, and appointed Mr. Clarke to succeed him as Governor of Iowa. Previous to his appointment, he had been elected by the people of his county, a delegate to the first convention which assembled to form a constitution for the State of Iowa. In this convention he dis- tinguished himself, both for his talent and personal demeanor, and contributed to the pages of that constitution, these great ele- mentary principles which lie at the founda- tion of human rights.
And, although that constitution was defeated, he still had the satisfaction of
225
HISTORY OF IOWA.
seeing their spirit and meaning transferred to another, and still continued as the fun- damental law of our State.
The first legislature, after he received his appointment of Governor, assembled at Iowa City on the first Monday of Decem- ber, 1845. His message to the legislature after its organization is a model of style and clearness.
He set forth the importance of an early extinguishment of the Indian title to all the lands within the limits of Iowa, and urges the legislature to memorialize Con- gress to purchase a tract of land on the upper Mississippi for a future home for the Winnebagoes, and thus induce them to part with their title to a large tract of country known as the "neutral ground," a recommendation which the general government soon after acted upon and carried out.
As soon as the "Blackhawk Purchase" had been surveyed, and it was discovered that it contained within its bounds large tracts which were supposed to contain valuable mineral, these tracts were reserved from market, and the government set itself up as a great landlord to lease out these lands at a stipulated rent. Mr Clarke soon saw the evil and injustice of such a system upon the inhabitants of Iowa, and he set himself at work to break it up; and it .was through his influence and exertions that the land was afterwards . thrown into market.
There was not a barrier in the future greatness of Iowa that did not call forth his attention, and he had the grand satis- faction of seeing everything that he re- commended for the benefit and prosperity of Iowa afterwards carried out, and carried
out, too, precisely, as he had suggested and wished. He seemed to be aware that he would soon be called upon to pass over the government, over which he presided with so much skill and ability, into the hands of the real sovereigns of the soil, and he was determined that nothing should be left undone by him to retard her future greatness.
On the 16th day of January, 1846, the legislature passed, once more, an act for the purpose of electing delegates to frame a constitution for the State of Iowa.
This time the friends of a State govern- ment took it for granted that the people of the territory wanted a constitution, so the legislature provided that at the April election following the passage of this act, the people of the territory should elect delegates to a convention. Accordingly, at the April election delegates were elected, and the convention, agreeable to said act, consisting of thirty-two members, instead of seventy as in the previous convention, met at Iowa City on the first Monday of May, 1846, and after a session of eighteen days produced a constitution, which con- stitution was submitted immediately fol- lowing, and was adopted by them as their constitution for the State of Iowa,
Thus you see that Iowa, from a colony, a dependency, a territory, jumped, in the short space of seven months, from the time the act above mentioned first passed, to that of a sovereign independent State.
After the result was known, the Gover- nor issued his proclamation for a general election in November following, at which election Ansel Briggs, of Jackson county was elected Governor of the State.
-
226
HISTORY OF IOWA.
This proclamation was the last public act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new Governor was qualified, he turned over to him all the archives of his office, and returned once more to the printing office, Again he scattered through Iowa his beautiful editorials through the columns of the Burlington Gazette, until the name and fame of Iowa became known throughout the length and breadth of the land.
He appeared at the capitol at the first session of the State legislature under the new constitution, to which body he deli- vered an affecting and interesting farewell letter, then stood back quitely during the whole of the session, and gazed with indig- nation upon his countenance at the dread- ful strife, storms and bitterness which was manifested during the entire session.
Never since the organization of the ter- ritory, had any man seen, or even dreamed of anything like it; every man seemed to look upon each other as being in his way to places of honor and profit, and it became a cut and thrust game. Both parties were without leaders, or if they had them, the leaders themselves stood in great need of being led.
Neither done anything-neither party could do anything. When one party made a move it was instantly checkmated by the other. Speech after speech was made, each one declaring himself a patriot and a true lover of his country, ready at all times to bleed and die for her. No one could do anything for the reason that none of the rest would let him. They ate, drank, grew fat, and returned to their seats, only to play the same game over again as on the previous day. They in- stituted a court for the trial of any offender
who should attempt to bribe any one of their number; and whenever such a tribu- nal is constituted, there is always sure to be some one to try.
Now and then during the session some poor devil was snatched up, arraigned and tried for indiscretely showing his money to some one of its members. But such trials only served to lionize the victims, and it looked to an outsider as if these scamps themselves had purposely committed these offenses in order to bring themselves into notice, and thereby claim themselves to be the victims of a cruel persecution.
In vain did they meet in joint conven- tion for the purpose of electing Judges of the Supreme Court and Senators. Every vote, some anxious aspirant in the "lobby" would brighten up, thinking perbaps this time the lucky card would turn up; but, alas! for human hopes, he lacked just ONE vote of an election.
Your humble servant was an idle and curious looker-on at most of the interest- ing scenes which took place at this seseion, and if it was not for the notes that he took at the time, he could hardly tell at this day whether these scenes were real, or whether they were the productions of an idle and troubled dream.
They finally adjourned without electing either Judges or Senators, and the State toddled along very well, half State, half Territory.
This was the last time, I believe, that Mr. Clarke ever appeared at the legisla- ture. He died soon after, at Burlington, with that horrible scourge, the cholera.
This closed the earthly career of a just and noble man, cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of a useful career.
227
HISTORY OF IOWA.
He was married to a sister of General Dodge, and this fact being known at the time of his appointment as Governor, drew upon the Dodge family the title of the "Royal Family." But whatever might have been said in this respect, the appoint- ment was due to Mr. Clarke, nor could it have been bestowed upon a better man, or one more competent to fill it.
He was the third and last Territorial Governor of Iowa, and, like the other two who preceded him, as soon as he had passed the office into the hands of his successor, he gently and calmly laid down and died. He was a tall, slender man, of a mild and amiable disposition, and had quite a femi- nine look. He left a family behind to mourn his sad loss. His history is without a stain or reproach, and throughout his whole life no man ever imputed ought against his character as a man and a citi- zen.
I have thus given you a few random sketches of the three Territorial Governors of Iowa, together with a few of the prin- cipal events in the history of Iowa, con- nected with their administration.
Most of the incidents contained in these sketches I have given from memory alone, having been myself an eye-witness of, and personally cognizant of many of the facts.
By these sketches you not only see the character and noble traits of the three good and wise men, but you see that under their care and protection, a young and thrifty State sprung into existence in the short space of eight years from the time when the whole Territory was the home of the savage.
OTHER TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. Secretaries.
Wm. B. Conway, 1838, died 1839. James Clark, 1839-41 O. H. W. Stull, 1841-3. Samuel J. Burr, 1843-5. Jesse Williams, 1845.
Auditors.
Jesse Williams, 1840-43. William L. Gilbert, 1843-45. Robert M. Secrest, 1845.
Treasurers.
Thornton Baylie, 1839-40. Morgan Reno, 1840.
Judges.
Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838. Joseph Williams, 1838. Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.
Presidents of Council.
Jesse B. Brown, 1838-9. Stephen Hempstead, 1839-40. M. Bainridge, 1840-1. J. W. Parker, 1841-2. John D. Elbert, 1842-3.
Thomas Cox, 1843-4.
S. Clinton Hasting, 1845. Stephen Hempstead, 1845-6.
Speakers of the House.
William H. Wallace, 1838-9. Edward Johnson. 1839-40. Thomas Cox, 1840-1. Warner Lewis, 1841-2. James M. Morgan, 1842-3.
James P. Carleton, 1843-4.
James M. Morgan, 1845. George W. McLeary, 1845-6.
STATE OFFICERS. Governors.
Ansel Briggs, 1846-50. Stephen Hempstead, 1850-54. James W. Grimes, 1854-58. Ralph P. Lowe, 1838-60.
228
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860-64. William M. Stone, 1864-68. Samuel Morrill, 1868-72. Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872-76. Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876-77. J. G. Newbold, 1877-78. John H. Gear, 1878-82. Buren R. Sherman, 1882.
Lieutenant-Governors.
Oran Faville, 1858-60.
Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-62.
John R. Needham, 1862-64.
Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-66. Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-68.
John Scott, 1868-70. M. M. Walden, 1870-72. H. C. Bulis, 1872-74.
Joseph Dysart, 1874-76.
Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78.
Frank T. Campbell, 1878-82. Orlando H. Manning, 1882.
This office was created by the new constitu- tion, September 3, 1859.
Secretaries of State.
Elisha Cutter, Jr., 1846-48.
Joseph H. Bonney, 1848-50.
George W. McCleary, 1850-56.
Elijah Sells, 1856-63.
James Wright, 1863-67. Ed. Wright, 1867-73.
Josiah T. Young, 1873-79. J. A. T. Hull, 1869.
Auditors of State.
Joseph T. Fales, 1846-50.
William Pattee, 1850-54.
Andrew J. Stephens, 1855-59.
Jonathan W. Cattell, 1859-65.
John A. Elliott, 1865-71. John Russell, 1871-75.
Ruen R. Sherman, 1875-81. William V. Lucas, 1881.
Treasurers of State.
Morgan Reno, 1846-50. Israel Kister, 1850-52. Martin L. Morris, 1852-59.
John W. Jones, 1859-63. William H. Holmes, 1863-67. Samuel E. Rankin. 1867-73. 1
William Christy, 1873-77. George W. Bemis, 1877-81. Edwin H. Conger, 1881.
Attorney- Generals.
David C. Cloud, 1853-56.
Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60.
Charles C. Nourse, 1860-64.
Isaac L. Allen, 1865-66. . Frederick E. Bissell, 1866-67. Henry O'Connor, 1867-72.
Marcena E. Cutts, 1872-76.
John F. McJunkin, 1877-81. Smith McPherson, 1881.
Adjutant- Generals.
Daniel S. Lee, 1851-55.
George W. McLeary, 1855-57.
Elijah Sells, 1857.
Jesse Bowen, 1857-61
Nathaniel Baker, 1861-77.
John H. Luby, 1877-78.
W. L. Alexander, 1878.
Registers of the State Land Office.
Anison Hart, 1855-57.
Theodore S. Parvin, 1857-59.
Amos B. Miller, 1859-62.
Edwin Mitchell, 1862-63.
Josiah A. Harvey, 1863-67.
9
Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71.
Aaron Brown, 1871-75.
David Secor, 1875-79.
J. K. Powers, 1879.
Superintendents of Publie Instruction.
James Harlan, 1847-48.
Thos. H. Benton, Jr., 1848-54.
James D. Eads, 1854-57. -
Joseph C. Stone, 1857. . .
Maturin L. Fisher, 1857-58. Oran Faville, 1864-67. D. Franklin Wells. 1867-68. A. S. Kissell, 1868-72 Alonzo Abernethy, 1872-76. -
10
229
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Carl W. Van Coelen, 1876-82. John W. Akers, 1882.
This office was created in 1847 and abolished in 1858, and the duties then developed upon the secretary of the Board of Education; it was re- created March 23, 1864.
State Printers.
Garrett D. Palmer and George Paul, 1849-51 William H. Merritt, 1851-53.
William A. Horuish, 1853. Den. A. Mahoney and Jos. B. Dorr, 1853-55. Peter Moriarty, 1855-57. John Teesdale, 1857-61. Francis W. Palmer, 1861-69.
Frank M. Mills, 1869-71. G. W. Edwards, 1871-73. Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-79. Frank M. Mills, 1879.
State Binders.
William M. Coles, 1855-58. Frank M. Mills, 1858-67. James S. Carter, 1867-71. J. J. Smart, 1871-75. H. A. Perkius, 1875-79. Matt. Parrott, 1879.
Secretaries of Board of Education.
T. H. Benton, jr , 1859-63. Oran Faville, 1863-61. This office waa abolished March 23, 1864.
Presidents of the Senate.
Thomas Baker, 1846-47. Thomas Hughes, 1847-48. John J. Selman, 1848-49. Enos Lowe, 1849-51. W. E. Leffingwel!, 1851-53. Maturi' L. Fisher, 1853-55. W. W. Hamilton, 1855-57.
Uuder the new constitution the Lieut .- Gover- nor is President of the Senate.
Speakers of the House. Jesse B. Brown, 1846-48. Smiley H. Bonham, 1848-50. George Temple, 1850-52,
James Grant, 1852-54. Reuben Noble, 1854-56. Samuel McFarland, 1856-57. Stephen B. Sheledy, 1857-59. John Edwards, 1859-61.
Rush Clark, 1861-63. Jacob Butler, 1863-65. Ed. Wright, 1865-67. John Russell, 1867-69.
Aylett R. Cotton, 1869-71. James Wilson, 1871-73.
John H. Gear, 1873-77. John Y. Stone, 1877-79. Lore Alford, 1880-81. G. R. Struble, 1882.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court.
Charles Mason, 1847.
Joseph Williams, 1847-48.
S. Clinton Hastings, 1848-49.
Joseph Williams, 1849-55. George G. Wright, 1855-60.
Ralph P. Lowc, 1860-62. Caleb Baldwin, 1862-64.
George G. Wright, 1864-66.
Ralph T. Lowc, 1866-68. John F. Dillon, 1868-70. Chester C. Cole, 1870-71.
James G. Day, 1871-72.
Joseph M. Beck, 1872-74. W. E Miller, 1874-76.
Chester C. Cole, 1876. William H. Secvers, 1876-77.
James G. Day, 1877-78.
James H. Rotbrock, 1878-79.
Joseph M. Beck, 1879-80. Austin Adams, 1880-82. William H. Seevers, 1882.
Associate Justices.
Joseph Williams, held over from territorial government until a successor was appointed.
Thomas S. Wilson, 1847. John F. Kinney, 1817-54. George Greene, 1817-55. Jonathan C. Hall, 1854-55. William G. Woodward, 1855. Norman W. Isbell, 1855-57. Lacon D. Stockton, 1856-60.
G
230
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Caleb Baldwin, 1860-64 .- Ralph P. Lowe, 1860.
George G. Wright, 1860. John F. Dillion, 1864-70. Chester C. Cole, 1864-77. Joseph M. Beck, 1868. W. E. Miller, 1870. James G. Day, 1870.
United States Senators.
Augustus C. Dodge, 1848-55.
George W. Jones, 1848-59.
James B. Howell, 1870.
George G. Wright, 1871-77.
James Harlan, 1855-65.
James W. Grimes, 1859-69.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1866. James Harlan, 1867-73.
William B. Allison, 1873-79.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1877-81.
Willianı B. Allison, 1879. James W. McDill, 1881.
MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
1846-47-S.Clinton Hastings, Shepherd Leffler. 1847-49-Wm. Thompson, Shepherd Leffler.
1849-51-Wm. Thompson, Dan. F. Miller, Shepherd Leffler
1851-53-B. Henn, Lincoln Clark.
1853-55-Bernhart Henn, John P. Cook.
1855-57 - Aug. Hall, Jas. Thorington.
1857-59-Samuel R. Curtis, Timothy Davis.
1859-61-Samuel R. Curtis, Wm. Vandever.
1861-63-Samuel R. Curtis, J F. Wilson, Wm. Vandever.
1863-65-James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wm. B. Allison, J. B. Grinnell, John A. Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1865-67-James F Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- liam B. Allison, Josiah B. Grinnell, John A. Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1867-69-James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- liam B. Allison, William Loughbridge, Grenville M. Dodge, Asahel W . Hubbard.
1869-71-George W. McCrary, William Smyth (died September 30, 1870, and succeeded by Wm. P. Wolf), William B. Allison, William Loughbridge, Frank W. Palmer, Charles Pome- roy.
1871-73-Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donnan, Madison M. Walden, Frank W. Palmer, Jackson Orr.
1873-75-Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donnan, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, William Longhbridge, John A. Kasson. James W. McDill, Jackson Orr.
1875-77-Geo. W. McCrary, John Q. Tufts, L. L. Ainsworth, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, Ezckiel S. Sampson, John A. Kasson, James W. McDill, Addison Oliver.
1877-79-J. C. Stone, Hiram Price, T. W. Bur- dick, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark, E. S. Samp- son, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F. Sapp, Addison Oliver.
1879-81-Moses A. McCoid, Hiram Price, Thomas Updegraff, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark (died in May, 1878, and succeeded by Wm. G. Thompson), J. B. Weaver, E. H. Gillette, W. F. Sapp, Cyrus C. Carpenter.
1881-83-M. A. McCoid, S. S. Farwell, Thos. Updegraff, N. C. Deering, W. G. Thompson, M. E. Cutts, John A. Kasson, W. P. Hepburn, C. C. Carpenter.
PRESENT STATE OFFICERS.
Governor, Burcn R. Sherman.
Secretary, John A. T. Hull.
Deputy Secretary, Wm. T. Hammond.
Auditor, Wm. V. Lucas.
Deputy Auditor, Rufus L. Chase.
Book keeper. I. E. Ayres.
Treasurer, Edwiu H. Conger.
Deputy Treasurer, C. R. Chase.
Register Land-office, Jas. K. Powers.
Deputy Register, John M. Davis.
Sup't Pub. Inst , Johu W. Akers.
Printer, Frank M. Mills.
Binder, Matt. Parrott.
Adjutant- General, W. L. Alexander.
Superintendent Weights and Measures, Prof. N. R. Leonard.
Librarian, Mrs. S. B. Maxwell. Assistant Librarian, Jessie Maxwell.
SUPREME COURT.
Chief Justice-Wm. H. Scevers, Oskaloosa. Judges-James G. Day, Sidney. James H. Rothrock, Tipton. Joseph M. Beck, Fort Madison. . Austin Adams, Dubuque.
Att'y Gen .- Smith McPherson, Red Oak. Clerk-E. J. Homes, Des Moines. Reporter-John S. Qunnells, Des Moines.
-
HISTORY
OF
HARDIN COUNTY,
IOWA.
CHAPTER I.
-
INTRODUCTORY.
O NE of the most interesting, as well as the most useful, studies to the youth- ful mind, as well as the advanced thinker, is that of general and local history. Espe- cially is this true when the historian treats of a country as it existed in its primitive state; tells how it was peopled, and enters somewhat into detail in relation to the manner and life of the pioneers. There is a peculiar fascination about the rude life of the early settlers of a new country. The freedom of action, the unconstrained manner with which he receives one and all, and the generous hospitality, is indeed commendable.
Less than a half century ago, that-part of the State of Iowa comprising the county of Hardin, was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by the wild beasts of the forest, wild birds of the air, and no less wild red man, who roamed at will over the broad prairies, fishing in the Iowa river, or hunting the game that everywhere
abounded, seemingly caring nothing for the morrow, and only living in the ever present. The thought of the "palefaces" penetrating this beautiful country had not yet disturbed them, and so they continued on in their daily life of hunting and fish- ing, with occasionally a short war between tribes, to relieve the monotony of their lives. But the time was soon to come when they would surrender up the lands and move on toward the setting sun. The time was soon to come when all nature must be changed; when the fair prairies, with their beautiful flowers, painted only by the hand of God, must be broken up by the husbandman, and grain fit for the use of civilized man sown therein.
Thirty-five years ago, still all was a wil- derpess; the soil had been unvexed by the plow, and the woodman's axe had never been heard; the cabin of the settler, with its smoke curling heavenward, with an air inviting the weary traveler to come and
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
rest, was not to be seen, nor even the faintest trace of civilization, but, instead, boundless emerald seas and luxuriant grasses.
" These, the gardens of the deserts-these The unshorn fields, boundless and beautiful, And fresh as the young earth ere man had sinned. Lo ! they stretch, In airy undulations, far away, As though the ocean, in the gentlest swell, Stood still, with all his rounded billows fixed, And motionless forever."
The prairies, indeed, were a grand sight -in the summer, "clothed in verdure green;" in the fall, in that color that too well tells of the departing years. If a grand sight to see the prairies, as the tall grass waved to and fro, it was a magnifi- cent sight, in the fall of the year, to see the annual prairie fire as it sweeps over all. A correspondent of an Eastern paper, in an early day, in traveling West, witnessed one of these fires, and thus describes it in a communication to his paper:
"Whilst enjoying the sublimity of the scene, Night threw her mantle o'er the earth, and the sentinel stars set their watch in the skies, when suddenly the scene was lighted, by a blaze of light, illuminating every object around. It was the prairie on fire. Language cannot con- vey, words cannot express to you the faint- est idea of the grandeur and splendor of that mighty conflagration. Methought
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